Evidence of Liquid Gasket Sealant

[and0r]

Hi everybody, this is my first time posting here.
Is there a way to determine if liquid gasket repair (the kind you put in your radiator) has ever been used?
Is there anything specific I can look out for?

My vehicle may have had this liquid repair used, then had the coolant replaced *after* using this substance, so I am wondering if there is anything specific I can look out for, even with the coolant drained multiple times after the use of this substance.
This is very important in determining what I do with the vehicle next. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

 

[docraymund]

The disadvantage in using that is the possibility of gumming up the coolant passages in the engine and radiator. Overheating may result.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Hi everybody, this is my first time posting here.
Is there a way to determine if liquid gasket repair (the kind you put in your radiator) has ever been used?
Is there anything specific I can look out for?

My vehicle may have had this liquid repair used, then had the coolant replaced *after* using this substance, so I am wondering if there is anything specific I can look out for, even with the coolant drained multiple times after the use of this substance.
This is very important in determining what I do with the vehicle next. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

You didn't state why this is very important in determining what to do with the vehicle next. Perhaps more information would be helpful to the forum members.

If you are concerned the gasket repair liquid was added - why don't you use a commercial coolant system flush (such as Motorcraft or other well known brands) and clean your cooling system. Then, flush it with clean water and proceed with adding the antifreeze.

 

[and0r]

You didn't state why this is very important in determining what to do with the vehicle next. Perhaps more information would be helpful to the forum members.

If you are concerned the gasket repair liquid was added - why don't you use a commercial coolant system flush (such as Motorcraft or other well known brands) and clean your cooling system. Then, flush it with clean water and proceed with adding the antifreeze.

You must have missed the part about the system already being flushed after the sealant was used.
But anyway, my Expy likely has a slight gasket leak, I recently found this to my surprise, as I had just purchased the vehicle myself, literally my first vehicle, so I need to determine if the small (very small) leak is genuine, or if it had been previously plugged with liquid gasket repair. I am not going to keep a vehicle which had a larger leak and has been plugged with liquid gasket repair. Obviously do not want damaged valves and/or worn piston rings on 1 or 2 cylinders.

 

[and0r]

Im thinking maybe it would adhere some to the thermostat? I would most be worried about the thermostat.

 

[Big Brian]

I didn't see anything about a flush being used on your system either just the coolant was changed multiple times.

That aside, I would not worry about it sticking to the thermostat. There is a huge volume of flow going through the t-stat and the opening is a lot larger in it that it is in say a heater core

What exactly is wrong anyway? What gasket is leaking? What engine? How many miles? You dont provide much information so its hard to help

 

[and0r]

I didn't see anything about a flush being used on your system either just the coolant was changed multiple times.

That aside, I would not worry about it sticking to the thermostat. There is a huge volume of flow going through the t-stat and the opening is a lot larger in it that it is in say a heater core

What exactly is wrong anyway? What gasket is leaking? What engine? How many miles? You dont provide much information so its hard to help

139k original miles, full service history with mileage, immaculate inside and out, original 1999 spare tire underneath, the exhaust smells like clean hot air once the cats are warm, etc. owned by person who did not use it for daily commute. i would assume the problem is from a gasket leaking and not from a cracked head because there is a known defect (and probably a TSB) for these gaskets anyway.
my problem is, on cold start, i get translucent steam flowing out in a steady stream, its somewhat hard to see, but its there.
the flow will last over 3 mins, then disappears. but even after its gone, and after doing a long 30min trip, i can small the presence of water vapor, which has a very distinct smell. also, at night when i shine a powerful flashlight on the exhaust after a cold start, i can see the water vapor particles and oddly, it does not smell like coolant, but smells like pure H2O steam, and it certainly does not smell of engine oil. and all fluid levels hold steady. i cannot bring myself to believe this is condensation. its very dry where i live, very low humidity.

i ordered one of those radiator/block pressure testers from amazon last night, the one which uses a vacuum hose

got any advice about what's going on?

 

[and0r]

there is also some kind of oil seepage somewhere, no leak, but can definitely smell seepage cooking on the engine. its rather strong. i havent gotten under the darn thing yet, i am really hoping its not from the rear main seal, but from valve cover or somewhere else.
...really really hoping its not from the rear main.

 

[Big Brian]

where is the location of this leak?

Usually if its leaking or burning coolant you will get a sweet distinct smell. Also of course your coolant level will be going down, but that might take some time

the pressure tester will help you diagnose a leak, as long as it comes with the correct adapters. since you can see it should not be hard to figure out

 

[and0r]

where is the location of this leak?

Usually if its leaking or burning coolant you will get a sweet distinct smell. Also of course your coolant level will be going down, but that might take some time

the pressure tester will help you diagnose a leak, as long as it comes with the correct adapters. since you can see it should not be hard to figure out

im assuming the leak is from the head gasket. not all leaks are created equal, i guess. it seems like a very small leak which somehow manages to pool when the engine is shut off for long hours. but it does not smell like coolant at all. just water.
the reservoir does seem to be filled with coolant and not water, but i do plan on draining the coolant, filtering it through a funnel and some paper towels, and inspecting for any copper particles from liquid gasket sealant anyway.

 

[stamp11127]

Look at the inside of the upper radiator hose after you drain the system. If there is any crap attached to the rubber it is the "wonder sealer".

If you are running the ac and the condensate is dripping on the ground there is enough moisture in the air to collect in the exhaust system when it is cooling down.

 

[and0r]

Look at the inside of the upper radiator hose after you drain the system. If there is any crap attached to the rubber it is the "wonder sealer".

If you are running the ac and the condensate is dripping on the ground there is enough moisture in the air to collect in the exhaust system when it is cooling down.

i have been running the AC, but the last was several days ago, it still is steaming on cold start. i check the exhaust on cold start every day

 

[bobmbx]

im assuming the leak is from the head gasket. not all leaks are created equal, i guess. it seems like a very small leak which somehow manages to pool when the engine is shut off for long hours. but it does not smell like coolant at all. just water.
the reservoir does seem to be filled with coolant and not water, but i do plan on draining the coolant, filtering it through a funnel and some paper towels, and inspecting for any copper particles from liquid gasket sealant anyway.

Catalytic converters produce water as a by-product. Often, you can look under your car and see water dripping (slowly) from a hole in the mufflers. Perfectly normal.

The radiator leak stop stuff doesn't last forever, and will eventually break free of any hole it was plugging and you'll get a leak again. If someone dumped a can of the stuff into your radiator, and you have since drained and flushed, you have nothing to worry about. Yes, that stuff can clog a radiator, but only for a short while. If you want, you can drain the system, then stick your garden hose into the radiator (with the drain **** still open) and let it gush water into the rad. Use a bucket to catch the fluid coming out. If you see what looks like a rusty, dark goo, you may have the stuff in your system. But again, its not an issue. Worst thing that can happen is you eventually find the leak they stopped when they poured it in. That stuff only works like a sealer when it is exposed to air, so deep inside the engine cooling channels, where there shouldn't be static air, nothing will stick.

There are lots of things that can seal a small leak in the coolant system. A raw egg or powdered cinnamon are two that I know work. Temporarily, that is.

 

[and0r]

Catalytic converters produce water as a by-product. Often, you can look under your car and see water dripping (slowly) from a hole in the mufflers. Perfectly normal.

The radiator leak stop stuff doesn't last forever, and will eventually break free of any hole it was plugging and you'll get a leak again. If someone dumped a can of the stuff into your radiator, and you have since drained and flushed, you have nothing to worry about. Yes, that stuff can clog a radiator, but only for a short while. If you want, you can drain the system, then stick your garden hose into the radiator (with the drain **** still open) and let it gush water into the rad. Use a bucket to catch the fluid coming out. If you see what looks like a rusty, dark goo, you may have the stuff in your system. But again, its not an issue. Worst thing that can happen is you eventually find the leak they stopped when they poured it in. That stuff only works like a sealer when it is exposed to air, so deep inside the engine cooling channels, where there shouldn't be static air, nothing will stick.

There are lots of things that can seal a small leak in the coolant system. A raw egg or powdered cinnamon are two that I know work. Temporarily, that is.

they make permanent liquid gasket repair fluid now. there is at least one brand (something with "blue" in its name) which claims to be a permanent seal. and i have not drained or flushed my radiator yet, i am just assuming the worst, as if someone could have possibly used this stuff, then replaced the coolant afterwards. i am inventing this hypothetical situation only to know of any sure way of detecting this gasket fluid, even in a condition where the radiator system has already been drained or flushed

 

[and0r]

what makes this funny is that i recommend in a totally different and unrelated thread, that someone should smell their engine exhaust to detect burning oil, and i describe a healthy engine as having sort of a sweet smell. honestly that is the best way i could describe it at the time, and i wasnt thinking how radiator coolant could also smell sweet
my engine is definitely not burning coolant

i was thinking of like gasoline

 

[Big Brian]

If there is enough of this liquid pooling I would take a turkey baster and take a sample of it and put it in a glass jar so you can see exactly what it is.

It has to be coolant even though from your description it doesn't sound like it.

 

[and0r]

If there is enough of this liquid pooling I would take a turkey baster and take a sample of it and put it in a glass jar so you can see exactly what it is.

It has to be coolant even though from your description it doesn't sound like it.

yeah, no
cute response tho

 

[Big Brian]

not trying to be cute

trying to help

and YES antifreeze burning in the engine will give off a sweet smell. Take your hand and cup it over the exhaust while the engine is running. Then smell your hand. You will smell it if its burning coolant

this comes from 20 years experience as an auto mechanic

 

[and0r]

i work for nasa

 

[Big Brian]

this aint a rocket ship

next time my space shuttle develops a miss I will give you a jingle